Stronger leadership

Shortly before the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season, the CEO of the sport, Stefano Domenicali, had his contract extended until the end of 2029. This confirms the crucial role the former Ferrari team principal has played in F1’s ongoing growth. Stefano Domenicali’s decisions have sometimes been unpopular among the sport’s more traditional fans—such as the introduction of Sprint races—but they have paid off with a younger audience. His goal is to modernize F1 while making it even more exclusive. It all stems from a fundamental belief: “Do not fear change”, as Stefano Domenicali explained in his interview with The Australian.

A blend of popularity and luxury

“There’s a difference in how we do things compared to a few years ago,” said Stefano Domenicali, who took over in 2021 from Chase Carey, the first successor to Bernie Ecclestone after F1 changed ownership. “It’s all about having an open mind.”

The 59-year-old CEO defended F1’s recent media-driven projects, from the Drive to Survive series to the upcoming film F1, set to hit theaters worldwide on June 26. “[Drive to Survive] was undoubtedly a crucial factor in F1’s growth,” Stefano Domenicali emphasized. “And all these are massive steps forward for the sport.”

For Domenicali, the recent multi-million-dollar sponsorship deal with luxury giant LVMH is clear proof of the ‘new’ Formula 1’s rising success. The decade-long agreement is valued at around $100 million per year. “It’s a huge responsibility,” he noted. “Four years ago, we didn’t have nearly as many sponsors.”

Currently, sponsorships account for 18.6% of F1’s annual revenue, race hosting fees contribute 29%, and TV rights make up 33% of total earnings. So far, Stefano Domenicali’s formula seems to be working.

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Between the Australian Grand Prix, the opening round of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship held last weekend, and the Chinese Grand Prix, there are only four days in between. Yet, the Imola-born manager found time to fit a stopover in Thailand into his packed schedule before heading to Shanghai.

A few days ago, it was revealed that the former Lamborghini president planned to visit Bangkok with a specific goal: to discuss a potential Grand Prix in Thailand, which could be added to the calendar in the coming years.

Thailand has long been known to have a ready-made project for a street circuit through the streets of Bangkok.

“I believe one of the positive choices we have made in the last two years has been to focus on circuits and countries that we believe represent the future of Formula 1,” Stefano Domenicali commented last weekend.

“We are seeing great interest from many nations looking to join the world championship calendar, which is why, right after the Melbourne Grand Prix, I will head to Bangkok. The local authorities are open to evaluating the possibility of joining the world championship calendar, and we will see if the government is ready to accept our conditions, as we also have other interested locations in Europe, Africa, and South America.”

Said and done. Stefano Domenicali has indeed been in Bangkok in recent hours to meet with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, continuing discussions about a potential Grand Prix in the capital—talks that had already begun a few months ago with the previous Thai prime minister, Srettha Thavisin.

“I was really pleased to meet with Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister of Thailand, and his team today to discuss their impressive plans to host a race in Bangkok,” Stefano Domenicali stated in a brief press release. “I look forward to continuing our discussions in the coming weeks and months.”

The mutual interest is evident. The Thai government wants Formula 1, and the F1 circus is drawn to the opportunity to explore a new market and further expand its reach.

However, there are obstacles to consider. The most significant is that the calendar has already reached its maximum limit of 24 races per season. As we know, teams are strongly against any further expansion to avoid putting additional strain on personnel and financial resources, especially with the current Budget Cap in place.

For some weeks now, discussions have emerged about maintaining a fixed group of races—reportedly 20 Grand Prix—while having eight rotating races (four per season). This would allow Formula 1 to race in 28 different countries without increasing the total number of races per season. For now, it is just a proposal, but it is being seriously considered as a potential near-term solution.

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Stefano Domenicali and F1: still together
Formula 1 has announced that Stefano Domenicali has extended his agreement with Liberty Media for another five years and will continue as president and CEO until 2029.
The official statement was released during the opening week of the 2025 Formula 1 season, which kicks off on Sunday in Melbourne, Australia, at the Albert Park circuit.

Chang’s words (president and CEO of Liberty Media)
“We are excited to renew our agreement with Stefano and look forward to continuing to benefit from his leadership, alongside the talented Formula 1 team, in the coming years. Stefano has led the company excellently, strengthening its foundation for success and accelerating Formula 1’s growth both commercially and in fan engagement. His energy and enthusiasm for the sport translate into effective strategies and tangible results. On behalf of Liberty, we are pleased with our partnership and incredibly optimistic about the continued success that the F1 team can achieve for the sport, our fans, partners, and shareholders.”

Stefano Domenicali’s comment (president and CEO of Formula 1)
“It is an honor for me to continue leading this incredible sport, which I love and has been part of my life since childhood, and I am grateful to the Liberty Media team for their trust. Together with all Formula 1 stakeholders, we will continue to work for the benefit of our fans, who are at the heart of everything we do. Passion, energy, and adrenaline are the driving forces that push me every day to give my best for Formula 1.” – the former Ferrari team principal concluded.

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In addition to the 15,000 spectators present in London, who filled the venue to capacity, the event—broadcast live on F1’s social media and YouTube channels—peaked at 4.6 million views. It marked the official start of the 2025 season, with all drivers and Team Principals in attendance ahead of pre-season testing. The evening also featured humor from British comedian Jack Whitehall, performances from musical acts like Take That, and the presentation of the trailer for the upcoming F1 film, set for release this year.

Expressing his full satisfaction with the success of the evening, which set the stage for the 75th edition of the F1 World Championship, was Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1: “This evening was an extraordinary event and a huge success,” he stated. “As a sport, we have done something together that has never been done before in F1 history. We always celebrate and respect our incredible history while also looking to the future to engage new fans worldwide. We had a packed O2 Arena, passionate fans sharing their love and excitement for the sport both in person and around the world. We saw all the drivers and Team Principals on stage, along with great music and entertainment. Now we are excited for the season ahead and what promises to be a great battle on track for the most important prize in motorsport. Thank you to all our fans and teams.”

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The Event
The Anglo-Italian dinner took place at Highgrove, the private residence of King Charles and Queen Camilla in Gloucestershire. The monarchs organized the banquet to celebrate the ties between the two nations ahead of their visit to Italy and the Vatican in early April. Notable guests included fashion designer Donatella Versace, actor Stanley Tucci, former AC Milan footballer David Beckham, Italian ambassador to the UK Inigo Lambertini, and Stefano Domenicali.

Stefano Domenicali’s invitation comes at a time when Formula 1 teams are increasingly centralizing their operations in England. In January, Racing Bulls inaugurated its new campus in Milton Keynes, followed by Sauber-Audi’s announcement of plans to establish a branch in the UK. Meanwhile, the British Grand Prix has been renewed for ten years, extending Silverstone’s contract with Formula 1 until 2034.

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The Emergency Decree, under discussion in the Budget and Environment Committees, proposes making this rule retroactive to oust Sticchi Damiani, currently in his fourth term, despite the limit being three terms.

On February 12, the ACI Assembly will have to call for new presidential elections, with 45 days to submit candidacies. This measure has alarmed both Liberty Media, promoter of F1, and the FIA, the International Federation.

Stefano Domenicali, F1’s President and CEO, wrote a letter to three members of the Meloni Government (Matteo Salvini, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure; Giancarlo Giorgetti, Minister of Economy and Finance; and Andrea Abodi, Minister of Sports) seeking assurances about the commitments made by Sticchi Damiani, “…who has always put his face to it.”

The concern is that a management change could delay the work Monza has signed and funded. While awaiting a newly elected president, Sticchi Damiani would only be authorized to handle routine administration. Domenicali’s concerns are valid: “I need guarantees that Monza’s work can be completed on time, respecting the contract clauses,” he told Motorsport.com.

The six-year renewal of Monza was signed on November 27, a month after Sticchi Damiani’s confirmation, highlighting that the Apulian executive guarantees not just financial aspects but also organizational capabilities.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, has also acted, writing directly to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in recent days to emphasize the need to preserve the autonomy of sports from politics.

The global motorsport leadership has taken action, and now they await responses from Italian politics. Legally, Sticchi Damiani, who might challenge his removal, seems to have a good chance of prevailing, but only after a lengthy legal battle. What will happen in the meantime with ACI’s management (especially considering that from this year the entity is burdened by a €50 million levy payable to the Treasury under Article 116 of the 2025 Budget Law) and the two GPs?

Concerns also extend to the WRC: while this year’s Rally Italia Sardegna is not in question, a new agreement for the future will need to be negotiated. Who will finalize the contract? In short, politics must provide swift answers. Opposition parties have proposed an amendment to defend Sticchi Damiani’s position, but they lack the numbers to change the situation. Will the issue end up in Giorgia Meloni’s hands?

Meanwhile, who might succeed Sticchi Damiani? Three vice presidents are being considered: Giuseppina Fusco (AC Roma), Piergiorgio Re (AC Torino), and Ruggero Campi (AC Perugia). Another possible candidate is Geronimo La Russa (AC Milano), who is well-acquainted with the Monza situation.

As a sports federation, the ACI must avoid entering a phase of conflict that could lead to chaos if paralysis occurs. F1 has many countries eager to join the calendar; it would be paradoxical for Italy to be forced out of the circus due to internal disputes. Can a shared solution be found?

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Fans fear a dull 2026, but Stefano Domenicali calms everyone: even with the new F1 regulations, performance levels will even out. Concerns arise in light of a 2025 that looks to be highly competitive: McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull could all fight for the championship, having reached an extremely high performance level. The 2026 revolution, however, will reshuffle the deck.

This is a recurring theme in Formula 1: when there’s a drastic change in technical regulations, one team often capitalizes. This was the case with Brawn GP in 2009, Mercedes in 2014, and Red Bull in 2022, to name the most recent examples. Such an advantage is often maintained in the following seasons until the infamous “convergence” is reached.

This convergence is simply the point where the leading team hits a development ceiling, allowing competitors to quickly catch up. In 2024, this has already occurred from the first European rounds. With many cars fighting for victory, the subsequent races often turned out to be spectacular and unpredictable, providing a breath of fresh air for Formula 1.

The 2026 regulations will not make F1 boring
The fear is that a drastic rule change might lead to a new era of dominance by one team. In an interview with Autosprint, Stefano Domenicali – CEO of Formula 1 – sought to reassure fans: “In 2022, teams complained that the cars would be six seconds slower. In four years, we’ve achieved very strong convergence.”

“Now we’re starting again with different regulations, with many new challenges and adjustments to make. At the beginning, we won’t see such gaps – it would be unrealistic to expect that. But as the 2026 F1 regulations are designed, convergence will come. I’m not worried.” – the former Ferrari team principal pointed out – “Several new manufacturers are joining, encouraged by these technological changes, which are necessary to maintain the evolutionary and positive momentum for those who see our formula as a platform for future development. We need to look at the bigger picture, not just the details. We must think big.” – the Formula 1 CEO concluded.

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Rwanda vs South Africa: A Head-to-Head Battle
Rwanda appears to be in pole position to end the more than three-decade absence of F1 in Africa. This was confirmed by Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula One Group, in an interview with *Autosprint*: “We are committed to finding a solution in Africa, as the F1 calendar lacks a stop on that continent. Currently, the most advanced discussions are with Rwanda, but South Africa has re-emerged in the conversation. For now, the more in-depth discussions have been with Rwanda, although this is not a short-term prospect.”

Why Rwanda Has the Advantage
The strong push comes from the Rwandan government, led by President Paul Kagame, who traveled to Singapore last September to support the bid with Liberty Media. The country is heavily investing in promoting its image through sports and, in 2025, will host the Road Cycling World Championships after organizing the FIA awards ceremony in December 2024.
The idea is to build a permanent circuit in Kigali, but it’s clear that such a project would take considerable time. This timeline would likely be longer than South Africa’s, which already has the Kyalami circuit, located about 30 kilometers from Johannesburg and Pretoria. Notably, South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie recently spoke openly about targeting entry into the calendar in 2026 or, at the latest, 2027.

F1 Calendar Strategy: Stefano Domenicali’s Approach
“On one hand,” Stefano Domenicali added, speaking more broadly about Liberty Media’s F1 calendar strategy, “we want to encourage circuits with long-term contracts to invest in the quality of their events. On the other hand, there are many countries wanting to join, but we need to find slots for them. We’ll have Madrid in 2026, which will have continuity and won’t alternate with Barcelona. However, Barcelona still wants to remain. We’re also working on a solution for them (potentially a rotation with other tracks like Imola and Spa).”

“There are many moving parts,” the 59-year-old from Imola concluded, “and finalizing the calendar is the most complicated thing of all. But these are all positive situations—they’re opportunities, not problems. We’re in contact with Thailand, South Korea, Turkey, and now also Argentina, which has returned to push following Franco Colapinto’s debut. But there are 24 GPs, and everyone wants to stay and invest.”

The changes to the calendar in the coming years may not be limited to the return of an F1 Grand Prix in Africa…

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F1, how can Chang benefit F1 Stefano Domenicali?
Chang is a profile particularly appreciated within the company for his extensive expertise in entertainment, sports, and communication, which are the core business areas of the Liberty Media giant. However, unlike Maffei, it seems that the new president intends to bring a change in the management of Formula 1 by delegating more to his collaborators. Consequently, Stefano Domenicali could gain more space and autonomy in leading the Grand Prix paddock.

Stefano Domenicali, whose contract with Liberty Media expires at the end of 2025, previously reported directly to CEO Maffei, who was often heavily involved in operational and decision-making matters. After the internal reorganization, the 59-year-old from Imola will instead report to a triumvirate consisting of Chang himself, former F1 chief Chase Carey (who returned to Liberty Media at the end of last year), and Robert Bennett. According to The Race, this development suggests that Derek Chang will adopt a less interventionist style, giving more room to Stefano Domenicali.

Stefano Domenicali on track to renew with Liberty Media
Former Ferrari team principal, then Audi vice president, and Lamborghini president and CEO before his appointment as head of Formula 1 in 2021, Stefano Domenicali seems to be fast-tracking toward a contract renewal with Liberty Media. This assessment is also reported in today’s edition of Corriere dello Sport, which explicitly mentions that the signing of a contract extension to lead the Formula One Group beyond 2025 is expected “very soon.”

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F1 looks to the future after an extraordinary 2024 season that featured seven GP winners across 24 races on the calendar. The Concorde Agreement expires at the end of this year, and beyond the expansion of teams with General Motors joining in 2026, one major topic under discussion is the calendar, as the requests from organizers wanting to join far exceed the available slots.

The renewal of Spa-Francorchamps for four Belgian GPs to be held over six years (skipping the 2028 and 2030 editions) brings to the forefront a long-standing, under-the-radar issue: the alternation of certain events, which would allow the inclusion of more circuits in the F1 World Championship.

Italy is in a unique position as it currently has the privilege of hosting two GPs (Monza and Imola), a luxury only the United States surpasses with three. In an interesting exclusive interview with the weekly Autosprint, Stefano Domenicali outlines a clear picture: “The contract with Monza has been renewed with significant commitments regarding infrastructure modernization. What was done at Monza last year was just a necessary first step. The idea that being fortunate enough to be considered a historic venue means you can remain outdated is wrong. Historic value is only meaningful if projected into the future.”

“The Monza facility must modernize. And I must say that ACI president Angelo Sticchi Damiani has personally taken on these commitments, and without his dedication, it would have been difficult to finalize certain agreements. Clearly, there was significant governmental and regional economic support. Now we need to understand the situation with Imola.”

The F1 president and CEO has a very clear vision of the future. He acknowledges Imola’s contribution to the calendar during the peak of the Covid pandemic:
“Imola wants to continue and carry forward a project. The Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit is important and could fit into the rotation logic, though not with Monza. Certainly, if Monza doesn’t honor its commitments, Imola would be a strong alternative. Never say never. Before the start of the next season, we’ll define the future position.”

Stefano Domenicali, in very clear terms, outlines a highly fluid scenario where Imola (whose contract expires this year) could take on a rotating role with other circuits, not just Spa-Francorchamps (but has the 2026 recovery of the race lost to the 2023 flood been shelved?).

The puzzle is not easy to solve, given the desire to bring a race to Africa, a continent currently unrepresented (though this is a medium- to long-term goal). From 2026, Spain aims to include Madrid alongside Barcelona. In short, challenges arise with the candidacies of Thailand, South Korea, Turkey, and Argentina, which has gained attention with Franco Colapinto’s debut. The game of balancing priorities won’t be easy, and Monza must be careful not to get caught in the shuffle.

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